BJP demands withdrawal of FIR against Rajnath in CD case

Varanasi, Apr 8 (UNI) Former BJP president Venkaiah Naidu today demanded the FIR lodged against party chief Rajnath Singh over the objectionable CD issue be withdrawn immediately.

Interacting with newspersons here, Mr Naidu denied the CD containing the objectionable material about the 1992 Ayodhya demolition and post-Godhra carnage was produced or released by the BJP.

''Lodging an FIR against BJP president Rajnath Singh was unprecedented and objectionable and should be withdrawn immediately,'' Mr Naidu added.

''Our workers across the country are angered by this step of the Election Commission,'' he maintained.

Taking a dig at other parties -- Congress, SP and BSP -- for raising a hue and cry over the issue and demanding the EC to de-recognise the BJP as a political party, Mr Naidu said ''these parties have thrived by furthering the communal and casteist agenda to attract votes. The EC needs to first de-recognise these parties.'' ''The Congress since 1947 has thrived by pursuing the communal agenda and has divided the Hindu society to garner votes. The anti-Sikh advertisements published by the Congress in newspapers during the 1984 speaks volumes about its hollow commitment towards secularism,'' Mr Naidu said.

He also denied reports the producer of the controverisal CD was being threatened by the BJP. ''Not at all. We do not believe in practising such immoral acts.'' The BJP also reiterated the party president will surrender before the police in Lucknow tomorrow in presence of all senior leaders of the BJP.

UNI